Tag Archives: employee rewards

10 Tips for Writing Employee Thank You Notes

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Liz King | Leave a comment

The humble handwritten thank you note can boost your company’s bottom line, believe it or not.

A recent Forbes article by Josh Bersin, founder and principal at Bersin by Deloitte, illustrates the point. His article, “New Research Unlocks the Secret of Employee Recognition,” cites his company’s comprehensive research project on employee recognition showing that organizations giving regular thanks to their employees far outperform those that don’t.

Companies scoring in the top 20% for building a “recognition-rich culture” actually had 31% lower voluntary turnover rates.

That makes sense to Geil Browning, founder of Emergenetics International. In an Inc. Magazine article, “How to Thank Your Employees in Only 8 Words,” she writes:

“When you recognize the contributions of others, you reinforce the kind of behavior you want to see again. People who feel their efforts are noticed, and their work makes a difference, are more likely to go the extra mile in the future. Leadership is about empowering others to realize their own abilities. Communicate your belief in your people, and watch them rise to meet your expectations.”

Put another way, recognizing employee’s contributions shows you’re paying attention and that you care. It makes people feel valued. When you write a thoughtful note of gratitude, it’s also a permanent keepsake reminder.

Browning quotes business guru Tom Peters:
“People don’t forget kindness.”

Her research at Emergenetics suggests most employees appreciate personal thank you notes, if they’re personalized and meaningful. To be meaningful, notes should be specific and prompt. And to reward behaviors you want people to repeat, be sure to recognize efforts involving those behaviors.

Browning offers 10 tips for customizing thank you notes to celebrate employee strengths, according to brain-related research:

The “gift of gab” is a work asset for gregarious people. You might write: “I celebrate how you share your enthusiasm,” or “Thanks for keeping the lines of communication open.”
For quieter people you could say: “I prize your well-considered solutions,” or “I appreciate your respectful attitude toward everyone.”
For assertive people, try: “Thank you for keeping the momentum going,” or “I appreciate your decisive action.”
More easygoing people who want everyone to get along might appreciate: “Thank you for helping to keep the peace,” or, “I appreciate your amiability more than you know.”
To flexible, change-seeking workers who don’t get flustered easily you might write: “I recognize your easy resilience” or “Thanks for how you handled [difficult client].”
To focused staffers with strong opinions, try: “I depend on your support,” or “I honor you for your convictions.”
Analytical thinkers might value: “I appreciate your penetrating questions,” or “I respect the depth of your knowledge.”
For structural-minded, detail-oriented people, consider: “Thank you for transferring all that data perfectly,” or “You always meet your deadlines—impressive!”
Social thinkers want to please you, so you could write: “I’m so grateful for your team building skills,” or, “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Conceptual workers who want to feel unique might value: “Your solution to the XYZ problem was stunning,” or “I treasure your creative long-term views.”

Bersin’s research also showed the effectiveness of rewarding employees for:
1. specific results and behaviors and,
2. making thank yous public.
Consider displaying a list of employees you’ve recognized in your company newsletter, on bulletin boards, or via social media.

The best practices his research project uncovered also recommended including peer-to-peer recognition and making it easy for employees to recognize each other frequently. For more on new “social” peer-to-peer recognition, you might enjoy Incentive Magazine’s article, “The Pressing Case for Peer-to-Peer Recognition” by Andrea Doyle.

How often and on what occasions do you write employee thank you notes? Do you ever have peers write thank you notes to peers?

About gThankYou, LLC

Turkey Gift Certificates and Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are two of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand (Turkey or Turkey Or Ham), at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.

gThankYou, LLC provides company leaders with a variety of easy, meaningful and affordable ways to recognize and reward employees, holiday time or anytime. gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude and our free Enclosure Cards are personalizable including incorporating your company logo. And, nearly all orders ship same day.

gThankYou, LLC (www.gthankyou.com) is based in Madison, Wisconsin. Contact: Rick Kiley, Chief ThankYou! Officer, gThankYou, LLC at info@gthankyou.com or 888-484-1658.
Follow the Company Blog – “Celebrating Work”.
Join the Conversation @gThankYou
Watch our gThankYou! YouTube Video – “Learn More About Us”.

“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

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Posted in Employee Gifts, Empolyee Engagement, Fun with Gratitude, Gratitude, Gratitude Research, Management & Leadership, Rewards & Recognition, Showing Gratitude to Employees, Thank You, Thank You Power, The Art of Thank You, Workplace Gifts

Tagged "How to Thank Employees in only 8 Words", "New Research Unlocks the Secret of Employee Recognition", Andrea Doyle, Bersin Associates, Bersin by Deloitte, Deloitte, Emergenetics International, Employee engagement, Employee Gifts, employee recognition, Employee retention, employee rewards, Forbes, Gail Browning, gift certificates, gratitude at work, great ways to say Thank You, how to write a thank you note, Inc. Magazine, Incentive Magazine, Josh Bersin, Peer-to-Peer Recogniton, thank you letter, thank you note, the art of "thank you", Tom Peters, workplace gifts

Employee Gifts for Spring Just Got Easier!

Posted on March 17, 2013 by Liz King | Leave a comment

gThankYou! is excited to announce new Spring Enclosure Card designs for your Certificate of Gratitude Gifts!

“Artful Flowers”

Whether you celebrate the spring holidays at your workplace, or just want to brighten winter-worn workplace spirits, it’s a great time of year to share your gratitude with employees and co-workers for their continued hard-work and contributions to your business.

At gThankYou!, we are committed to helping companies find easy, meaningful and affordable ways to celebrate employees and clients throughout the year.

What’s easier for you and your recipients than a gThankYou! Ham Gift Certificate or a gThankYou! Pie Gift Certificate to show your appreciation for employees’ hard work for you? gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude come in a range of popular varieties and are redeemable for any Brand, at nearly any Store in the U.S. And, our popular Enclosure Cards free with any purchase!

New Spring Enclosure Card Designs

Our new spring Enclosure Card designs make it easy for you to share your gratitude with recipients. They’re customizable with your personal message and can even include your company logo – all at no charge with your purchase of any Certificate of Gratitude variety. These new designs can be found on the gThankYou! website along with other popular Spring and Summer Enclosure Card Designs.

“Thank You Bubble”

“Butterfly Stamp”

“Thanks Text”

At gThankYou!, we work hard to make it easy for you! We look forward to helping you with your employee gift-giving efforts.

Happy Springtime!

“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

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Posted in * News Releases - gThankYou!, Employee Gifts, Empolyee Engagement, Enclosure Cards, Fun with Gratitude, Gratitude, Management & Leadership, New Products, Rewards & Recognition, Showing Gratitude to Employees, Spring and Summertime, Thank You, Thank You Power, The Art of Thank You, Workplace Gifts

Tagged Easter Gifts, Employee Gifts, Employee Gifts for Spring, employee rewards, gift certificates, gratitude at work, Gratitude Gifts, ham gift certificates, Pie Gift Certificates, Recognition rewards, Thank You gifts, Turkey or Ham Gift Certificates, workplace gifts, workplace gifts for Easter

Employee Gifts Beat the February Blahs

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Liz King | Leave a comment

Did you know that February is National “Blah Buster Month”?Well, according to Oracle Education Foundation’s ThinkQuest it is.

For a lot of people, it’s true at home and it’s true at work. So as a businessperson, how do you help employees beat the blahs?

One great way is to create opportunities for physical activity. Could be the flexibility for free time to allow employees to exercise, a workgroup party – bowling, laser-tag or outdoor skating, or a hands-on community service project. Physical work is good for one’s spirit and one’s body. Add some teamwork with it and you have a win, win for all. That’s the key for some My Fitness Pal members.

Member “Scoobiesnax” posted “The February ‘Blahs.’ how do YOU beat them …?” saying:

“So the dreariest month of the year is upon us, and for many people (especially those who live in a colder climate as I do here in Ontario, Canada) it tends to be the hardest month to stay motivated … what [are] people … doing to stay motivated and fresh during this dull time of year?”

Fellow members answered:

I’ve started Vitamin D recently but not sure just how much it’s helped…
I take full advantage of every sunny and non-rainy day by going outside to run/walk and get fresh air.
I’m adding an hour to 2 hours every evening of Badminton … I love it!

Exercise is certainly healthy and uplifting, plus research shows it’s good for your your business, not just your employees. Another great way to lift employees’ spirits is a small gift. Indeed, at the American Express small business site Open Forum, writer and teacher Jacob Harper, formerly with Top Story Weekly, writes in “5 Easy Ways to Brighten Your Employee’s Days”:

“With all the responsibilities that come with being a boss, it can be tempting to overlook your role in maintaining your employee’s happiness. But some of the best leaders will tell you even small gestures can make a tremendous impact on company morale and, in turn, the success of the business overall.

Give a small gift. Listen. Does an employee rave about a favorite lunchtime spot or coffee bar? Get them a gift certificate so their next few visits will be on your bill.”

What about a favorite food? Or an informal workgroup pizza lunch? Showing your recognition and interest helps lift’s spirits; share your attention and thanks broadly so your whole organization benefits.

Whatever delights your employee, there’s likely a gThankYou! Gift Certificate of Gratitude to match. Just add a smile, handshake, sincere thanks and watch your employee shed the blahs. Just like that.

Here’s an employer who knows how to give a gift. Watch “Kyle Goes to the World Series.”

Here’s the story: “If you’ve been to the UC Davis Coffee House at some point these past couple years, you’ve met Kyle. And I’m pretty sure he waved at you with the biggest smile, and greeted you like you were one of his closest friends.

With the help of his CoHo coworkers and their spontaneous donations, this goober got an extra special surprise after Game 1 … a ticket to see his favorite team play in the World Series, ticket and transportation costs covered completely.”

You may not generate quite as much joy as University of California, Davis Coffee House, or CoHo, did with its expensive gift, but your employees will definitely appreciate an infectious smile and your appreciation. It’ll banish the blahs and make them think of you. Happy February!

How do you help your employees beat the February blahs? How do you chase away your own blahs?

“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

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Posted in Employee Gifts, Management & Leadership, Gratitude, Thank You Power, Thank You, Showing Gratitude to Employees, Workplace Gifts, Rewards & Recognition, Empolyee Engagement

Tagged "5 Easy Ways to Brighten Your Employee's Days", "Kyle Goes to the World Series", American Express Open Forum, CoHo, Davis, Employee engagement, Employee Gifts, Employee retention, employee rewards, February blahs, gratitude at work, great ways to say Thank You, Jacob Harper, My Fitness Pal, National Beat the Blahs Month, Oracle Education Foundation, Scoobiesnax, the art of "thank you", ThinkQuest, Top Story Weekly, UC Davis Coffee House, University of California, workplace gifts

Employee Recognition Tips | Workplace Valentine’s Day Gifts

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Liz King | Leave a comment

Or…Valentine’s Day—It’s not just for romance anymore.

It’s a great day to show employees, coworkers, and customers how much you appreciate them, notes Megan Smith, eHow contributor, in
“Valentine Gifts for Coworkers.”

A gThankYou! Candy Gift Certificate
is an easy way to say “thank you” anytime!

Persis Swift , in HR resource Capital Associates Industries‘ Workplace Insights blog, “9 Ways to Show Your Employees Some Love,” writes:

“Demonstrating to your employees that you value and appreciate the work they put in each week will yield a positive outcome. Employees are more satisfied in their job when they know their efforts are appreciated and are making a difference for the company. High job satisfaction rates lead to more engaged workers, and more engaged workers increase business productivity.”

Cathy Warschaw of the Warschaw Learning Institute, at writers community SearchWarp.com shares a similar thought in “Valentine Ideas for the Workplace.”

“Bosses, managers, supervisors,” she writes. “Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity for you to demonstrate how much you appreciate all the hard work your employees put in for the business throughout the year. Many employees love to feel valued by a boss who can express his or her thanks in many ways. Research shows that employees who feel appreciated by their boss work harder and are happier in the workplace than the employees who don’t feel valued.”

She suggests:

Host a Valentine Day’s luncheon—blow up balloons, pass out candy, and munch on savory and sweet goodies.
Distribute gift certificates or gift cards in small denominations to employees.
Write each staff member a thank you note telling them what they do to make the workplace special.
Hand out little goodie bags filled with treats to each staff person.
Suggest an after-work get-together at a local restaurant or pub to share food and drinks.

Swift adds:

If you hold a Valentine’s Day lunch, provide the main dish, but encourage your staffers to bring in Valentine’s Day themed desserts.
Plan a group outing for all of your employees. Whether it’s bowling or volunteering, the outing will be a good bonding experience.
Decorate your facility with holiday decorations, such as red and pink streamers and paper hearts.
Treat employees to a family-friendly get together, like a weekend pizza party or Friday evening movie.

And, concludes Warschaw:

Don’t forget about vendors and businesses that you work with on a regular basis—a simple thank you card should do just fine.
Coworkers can also get in on the Valentine Day’s fun by letting colleagues know how much they appreciate being able to depend on each other.

Above all, remember to show Valentine’s Day appreciation to customers, Warschaw indicates .

“[They’re] at the heart of every business—so what better time of the year to celebrate them?…Your customers will be flattered and pleased that you remembered them on such an amiable holiday.”

What are your employee recognition plans for Valentine’s Day?

“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

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Posted in Candy Gift Certificate, Employee Gifts, Empolyee Engagement, Fun with Gratitude, Gratitude, Management & Leadership, Rewards & Recognition, Showing Gratitude to Employees, Thank You, Thank You Power, The Art of Thank You, Workplace Gifts

Tagged CAI, Candy Gift Certificate, Capital Associates Industries, Cathy Warschaw, coworker gift, ehow, employee appreciation, Employee Gifts, employee rewards, gift certificates & gift cards, gratitude at work, Perisis Swift, SearchWarp.com, Valentine Gifts for Coworkers by Megan Smith, Valentine Ideas for the Workplace, Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day gifts, Warschaw Learning Institute, workplace gifts, Workplace Insights

Research Shows Happy Employees Are More Productive

Posted on February 7, 2013 by Rick Kiley | Leave a comment

Employee happiness is becoming a hot topic among CEOs and in boardrooms, notes Rob Markey in a Harvard Business Review blog post, “Transform Your Employees into Passionate Advocates.”

“[It’s] one more sign of the growing recognition that happy, engaged employees are more productive and generate better outcomes for their companies,” he writes.

But, he adds, only a few of the things that make employees happy result in real, sustained benefit for their companies. As Gretchen Spreitzer and Christine Porath note in one of a series of HBR articles on employee happiness, “It’s not about contentment, which connotes a degree of complacency.”

Timely, Meaningful Recognition

Markey and his colleagues have studied the links between employee engagement and customer loyalty for a few years, and have found that the only route to employee happiness that also benefits shareholders is through a sense of fulfillment resulting from an important job done well.

It’s about recognizing employees in a timely, meaningful way. Employees should be able to connect the recognition—whether it’s a personal note, a small gift, or both—with their hard work on the company’s behalf.

The Happiness/Productivity Link

Several other organizations weigh in on workers’ mindsets. A Businessweek article by Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer, “Employee Happiness Matters More Than You Think,” says, “Ultimately … the source of productivity is the individual knowledge workers who get things done every day. And the evidence is clear: People perform better when they’re happier.”

For 10 years Amabile and Kramer researched creativity, productivity, and the psychology of everyday work life. Their findings: “Whether we looked at entrepreneurial startups or large, established enterprises, the same holds true: People are more productive and creative when they have more positive emotions.”

“In fact, we found that, if happier on a given day, people were not only more likely to come up with a new idea or solve a complex problem that same day but also to do so the next day.”

Gallup provides statistics linking employee feelings and corporate outcomes, Amabile and Kramer note. The organization reports that disengaged employees’ lost productivity costs U.S. businesses more than $300 billion a year. Another Gallup study by researcher James Harter and others concluded that employees’ past feelings about an organization can predict sales and profits at a future point in time.

U.K.-based research, too, suggests clear links between workers’ happiness and their productivity. Jamie Doward’s Observer/Guardian article, “Happy people really do work harder,” reports that a team of economists led by Andrew Oswald, a professor of economics at Warwick Business School and a leading authority on the relationship between economics and mental health, says its research has important implications for the worlds of politics and business.

“We find that human happiness has large and positive causal effects on productivity,” the team says. “Positive emotions appear to invigorate human beings, while negative emotions have the opposite effect.”

The Warwick economists note: “Happier workers … were 12% more productive. Unhappier workers were 10% less productive.”

Employee Gratitude Done Right

If you show employees they’re valued, they’re more likely to have positive feelings about your company and their jobs. Here are three tips for effective employee recognition:

Let line managers lead—Immediate supervisors are best equipped to observe when an employee thank you is warranted, or to review the results of performance metrics and recognize top performers.
Keep it simple—Managers shouldn’t have to wade through complicated reports to determine who their top performers are.
Customer feedback—What’s more powerful than hearing a customer’s thank you?

As Markey’s HBR article says, “When frontline employees and managers hear directly from customers — when they see how customers scored their experience, when they hear what went right and wrong in the customer’s own words — the effect is dramatic. Applause in the form of positive feedback inspires them to keep up the good work.

“Loyal, passionate employees bring a company as much benefit as loyal, passionate customers. They stay longer, work harder, work more creatively, and find ways to go the extra mile,” he continues. “They bring you more great employees. And that spreads even more happiness — happiness for employees, for customers, and for shareholders.”

How do you ensure your employees receive timely, meaningful recognition? How do you keep workers feeling fulfilled?

“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

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Posted in Employee Gifts, Empolyee Engagement, Gratitude, Gratitude Research, Management & Leadership, Rewards & Recognition, Showing Gratitude to Employees, Thank You, Thank You Power, The Art of Thank You, Workplace Gifts

Tagged Andrew Oswald, Bain & Company Net Promoter System, Businessweek, Christine Porath, Employee engagement, Employee Gifts, Employee retention, employee rewards, Gallup, Gretchen Spreitzer, Guardian, Harvard Business Review, James Doward, James Harter, Observer, Rob Markey, Stephen Kramer, Teresa Amabile, Warwick Business School

This Year, Resolve to Thank Your Employees Regularly

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Liz King | 1 Comment

The holidays are over, and we’ve embarked upon 2013. You likely threw an employee party or handed out gifts to recognize your employees’ year of hard work.

So now you can relax, knowing your employees feel appreciated, right?

Wrong—at least partially.

Your workforce did and does appreciate your holiday thank-you. But employee gift-giving isn’t a one-time thing. Experts say recognizing workers regularly is an important part of improving and maintaining engagement, retention and morale.

You’re busy. All managers are. So here are some suggestions to make regular employee recognition easy:

Come up with a “thank you theme” for the year. Brainstorm with other managers and develop messages that reinforce the behaviors you want employees to demonstrate. Maybe it’s “ultimate customer service,” or “done-right-the-first-time order processing.”
Schedule regular recognition. Decide how often and on what occasions you’ll thank employees. Put reminders on your calendar so you don’t miss the dates.
Identify the rewards you’ll give. Whether it’s a gift certificate for pizza or ice cream, extra time off, or a free lunch, make sure managers know what employee gifts they can give, and that the gifts are easy to find and award.
Talk it over. Allow time for management to discuss positive employee behaviors they’ve observed so you can mention specifics in your thank-you announcements and letters.
Let employees reward each other, too. Set aside certain small gifts that employees can give to peers who’ve helped them meet company goals—it reinforces your culture of appreciation and giving.

And remember to make your thank-yous personal, with a smile and a handshake or a signed note. Give recognition publicly when possible, so it motivates the whole team.

To get the ball rolling this year, how about a personal New Year letter to each employee, along with a small gift, such as a gThankYou! Pizza Gift Certificate – perfect for all those football games coming up! Letters.org offers sample employee letters for many occasions:

[Date]

Dear staff members,

As the New Year begins, I want to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt greetings for the season and my appreciation for your accomplishments and achievements in 2012. Last year was a great year as far as achieving our targets are concerned. I thank one and all for your support and dedication and for the extra hours you worked to achieve goals and complete our projects.

We have many more projects lined up this year and I am sure, with your dedication and determination, we will again be able to complete them on time and with top quality. I look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with you and the entire team and I know we will achieve continued success together.

My best wishes to you and your family for a very Happy New Year.

Yours Sincerely,

[Your name]

A signed letter like this, plus a small gift, given to all employees at a gathering, makes for a highly motivated start to 2013.

And to you and yours from all of us at gThankYou!, a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

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Tagged 2013, employee appreciation, Employee engagement, Employee Gifts, Employee Recognition for 2013, Employee retention, employee rewards, gift certificates, gift certificates & gift cards, Letters.org, New Year Letter For Employees, Pizza Gift Certificates, regular recognition, thank you letter, workplace gifts

Employee Appreciation Best Practices: Zoosk Throws Holiday Parties

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Liz King | Leave a comment

Zoosk.com works hard and plays hard – and that translates to employees feeling engaged and excited about working for the company.

Thinking beyond — or in addition to — the checkbook when giving employee gifts lets staff members know they’re appreciated, writes Inc. Magazine’s Sara Hottman in “How to Choose a Holiday Gift for Your Staff.”

She quotes Paul Vagadori, senior human resources director for San Francisco-based Zoosk.com, an online dating community: “We work hard, we play hard.” Check out the Zoosk.com blog – it looks fun to work there!

In his fast-paced company, Vagadori knows how important it is to show employees the company values and appreciates their stellar efforts. “We want to show them we’re willing to invest time and money for what they do,” he tells Hottman.

Parties help build a sense of team and boost morale, and Vagadori hosts several during the holidays:

A Thanksgiving potluck — the company springs for entrées and each employee brings a favorite dish.

A fun pub event in mid-December—everyone enjoys beer and snacks.

A formal gala at year-end — a professional photographer takes pictures as employees and their dates play games and hit the gambling tables, and everyone gets a framed photo at the end.

The company gives other holiday gifts, too.

Extra paid time off — so employees can be with family and friends.

Bonuses — merit-based gifts for going above and beyond.

Small, useful gifts — nice travel mugs with the company logo, or gift certificates of gratitude.

Opportunities to give back to the community — a giving tree, where employees take tags and buy gifts for a family in need, and a food bank.

“We have a healthy competition over who can bring in the most weight in food,” Vagadori says to Hottman. “This way, individuals who work in a nice environment, and who are happy to have jobs can give back. It’s nice to be on the giving end.”

Be creative and make it personal when you give workplace gifts during the holidays and year-round. You’ll more than reap the benefits in employee retention and goodwill.

What’s your plan for holiday giving this year? SHRM’s annual survey says 72% of employers plan to host holiday parties this year – do you?

“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

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Posted in Employee Gifts, Management & Leadership, The Art of Thank You, Gratitude, Gratitude Research, Fun with Gratitude, Volunteerism, Thank You Power, Thank You, Showing Gratitude to Employees, Workplace Gifts, Rewards & Recognition, Empolyee Engagement

Tagged workplace gifts, Employee Gifts, great ways to say Thank You, gratitude at work, employee rewards, Thanksgiving, Employee engagement, Employee retention, Employee Gifts for the Holidays, Inc. Magazine, SHRM, zoosk.com, Sara Hottman, Paul Vagadori, holiday party, employee recognition, employee recognition best practices, workplace holiday parties

How to Give Employee Gifts the Right Way

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Rick Kiley | Leave a comment

You don’t have to spend a lot on employee gifts, but to get full value for what you do spend, add a personal touch.

Wouldn’t it be great if all employers had the wherewithal to buy each employee a cashmere sweater, as The Huffington Post reports that president and editor in chief Arianna Huffington does every year?

The article, “Arianna Huffington Gifts AOL/HuffPost Employees Annual Holiday Sweaters,” notes that this year she had quite a few to give, as she now has several thousand employees across multiple offices and cities.

“But sure enough, members of the New York office arrived on Wednesday morning to find their cozy holiday gear wrapped up in beribboned boxes on their desks. For the women it was soft, shawl-neck styles; for the men, fine gauge V-necks, all in a variety of jewel tones.”

Some people traded colors; some men and women even exchanged. As the article says, “the ladies in the men’s V-necks achieved that perfectly slouchy ‘boyfriend’ look.’”

Then everyone donned their sweaters and got together for a giant group photo.

What’s the point?

It’s not just that Arianna Huffington can afford to give cashmere sweaters. It’s that she:

Spent the same amount on each worker
Didn’t spend so much that recipients felt uncomfortable (Medzilla.com suggests $100 or less)
Gave the gifts all at the same time, so employees could enjoy them together
Gave appropriate gifts that weren’t too personal.
Clothing can actually be a little tricky if you don’t know your workforce well—you might be better off with gift cards or gift certificates for something employees can buy at their convenience at the stores of their choice.

Meredith Lepore, contributor to The Grindstone, provides more details in “How the Boss Should Give Employees Presents.”

How could Huffington have improved the workplace gifting experience?

By making it more personal.

The gifts themselves are personal and doubtless appreciated. The employees clearly had fun trying the sweaters on, swapping, and gathering for photos.

Maybe Huffington included a personal note thanking each employee for his or her excellent work and the article didn’t say so. If so, the gifts were inestimably more valuable.

It’s the personal connection that makes all the difference.

If you can, give gifts personally, with a handshake, a smile and a thank you.

If that’s not practical, how about a thank you by video conference before employees open their gifts? Or at least a personal note.

As Catherine Adenle writes at Catherine’s Career Corner in “5 Gifts to Give Your Employees”:

“Employees don’t want to work for just a paycheck; they want to work with people and for people. To create positive employee motivation, as a leader, you have to treat your employees well to show them that they matter—they are your greatest shareholders.”

Try:

A kind word anytime
A short discussion about employees’ families (if they’re willing to share)
A brief compliment
Including employees in things
Checking in to see if they need anything
Asking them what they think

Organizations will engage and retain their employees if they can clearly make the link between people, their performance, and business results.

To learn more best practice tips to make your employee holiday gift-giving successful, you’ll want to download our free eBook below.

Download your free eBook “The Ultimate Guide to Employee Gift-Giving” Now!

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How do you make workplace gifting personal and meaningful?

“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

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Tagged annual holiday gift, Catherine Adenle, Catherine's Career Corner, Employee engagement, Employee Gifts, Employee Gifts for the Holidays, Employee retention, employee rewards, Meredith Lepore, retention, the art of "thank you", The Grindstone, The Huffington Post, Ultimate Guide to Employee Gift-Giving, workplace gifts

The Secret to Successful Employee Gifts

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Liz King | 2 Comments

So you bought your employees gift certificates for a holiday turkey or ham, or maybe a pie or some ice cream. Don’t just stuff them in workplace mailboxes. The way you give employee gifts is even more important than what you give.

Employee gifts should be given in person whenever possible.

Make your gifts as meaningful as possible by distributing them personally, with a handshake, big smile and “thank you!”. An employee who feels valued has better morale, productivity and loyalty. Make sure your personal delivery conveys your sincere gratitude for employees’ hard work for you.

Recognition only has meaning when it comes from someone who benefits from employees’ performance: their managers.

If you have human resources staff distribute your gift certificates, it’s impersonal and a poor use of resources.

Human resources can order your gThankYou! gift certificates, but managers should deliver them personally, with a smile and a handshake.

If that’s not possible, managers should write a personal note to include with each employee’s gift certificate.

Public recognition
Most employees appreciate public recognition, too. You could host a gathering with simple refreshments and call employees up to the front of the room, one by one, to receive their gift certificates along with your personal thanks — and maybe deliver a positive anecdote about the employee’s performance.

Writer Brock Boser’s article at online self-improvement community SelfGrowth.com, “Are Corporate Awards and Corporate Gifts Beneficial in the Workplace,” notes that a company’s success depends on its employees and their abilities. Gifts help you attract and retain talented employees. They also reassure employees that you appreciate their hard work and dedication. Boser writes:

“These kind gestures will not only build your relationships but will help you build the company by utilizing its maximum potential.”

But the Seattle Post Intelligencer’s Workplace Wrangler blog, in an entry titled “Motivating Employees in the 21st Century,” cites author Daniel Pink’s TED conference talk. Pink wrote the acclaimed “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us.”

In his speech, Pink notes that “when it comes to motivation, there is a huge gap between what science knows and what companies do.”

So it’s not surprising that, as reported in Toronto’s Globe and Mail, a survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers and OfficeTeam shows that 33 percent of workers in North America believe their manager fails to recognize them.

Remember—the interaction between a manager and an employee is more important than the gift itself. It’s an opportunity to show your sincere gratitude and build long-term trust and loyalty.

How does your workplace distribute employee gifts?

“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

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Posted in Employee Gifts, Management & Leadership, Gratitude, Gratitude Research, Thank You Power, Thank You, Showing Gratitude to Employees, Workplace Gifts, Rewards & Recognition, Empolyee Engagement

Tagged Brock Boser, Daniel Pink, Drive:The Surprising Truth about What Motivates Us, Employee engagement, Employee Gifts for the Holidays, Employee retention, employee rewards, Globe & Mail, great ways to say Thank You, OfficeTeam, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Seattle Post Intelligencier, selfgrowth.com, TED Conference, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Turkey, turkey gift certificates, Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificate, Turkey or Ham Gift Certificates, workplace gifts, Workplace Wrangler

Your Way to Successful Employee Gifts

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Liz King | Leave a comment

gThankYou! announces our new Catalog of Winter Holiday Enclosure Card Designs – Perfect for your employee gift giving this holiday season!

Our new Design Catalog makes it easier to see all our free Winter Holiday Enclosure Card Designs at once, and easily share them with managers and co-workers. Our Enclosure Cards come free with any purchase of gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude. You choose your design, customize your message and even add a Company logo!

Inside this Free Catalog you’ll find many new fun seasonal designs and popular favorites to choose from, making your gThankYou! Certificate of Gratitude gift truly special this holiday season.

Click Image to Download Now

At gThankYou!, we are committed to helping companies find easy, meaningful and affordable ways to celebrate employees and clients holiday time and anytime!

What’s easier for you and your recipients than a gThankYou! Turkey Gift Certificate or a Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificate to show your gratitude for employees’ hard work for you? gThankYou! Certificates of Gratitude are redeemable for any Brand (Turkey or Turkey Or Ham), at nearly any Store in the U.S. And, our popular Enclosure Cards are free with any purchase!

And, virtually all orders ship the day they come in.

At gThankYou!, we work hard to make it easy for you.

Download Your Free gThankYou! Catalog of Winter Holiday Designs Now

About gThankYou, LLC

Turkey Gift Certificatesand Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates by gThankYou! are two of America’s favorite employee gifts and can be redeemed for any Brand (Turkey or Turkey Or Ham), at virtually any Grocery Store in the U.S.

“G” logo and “Certificates of Gratitude” are trademarks and “gThankYou” is a registered trademark of gThankYou, LLC.

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Posted in * News Releases - gThankYou!, Employee Gifts, Enclosure Cards, New Products, Turkey Gift Certificates, Turkey Or Ham Gift Certificates, Winter - Holiday Cards, Workplace Gifts

Tagged corporate gifts, corporate holiday gifts, Employee Gifts, Employee Gifts for the Holidays, employee holiday gifts, employee rewards, gift certificates, holiday gifts, Holiday gifts for employees, Recognition rewards, turkey gift certificates, Turkey or Ham Gift Certificates, workplace gifts, workplace holiday gifts

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Your Way to Successful Employee Gifts

gThankYou! announces our new Catalog of Winter Holiday Enclosure Card Designs – Perfect for your employee gift giving this holiday season!

Click Image to Download Now

At gThankYou!, we work hard to make it easy for you.

Download Your Free gThankYou! Catalog of Winter Holiday Designs Now

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Tag Archives: employee rewards

The humble handwritten thank you note can boost your company’s bottom line, believe it or not.

Please Share!

Like this:

gThankYou! is excited to announce new Spring Enclosure Card designs for your Certificate of Gratitude Gifts!

Please Share!

Like this:

Did you know that February is National “Blah Buster Month”?Well, according to Oracle Education Foundation’s ThinkQuest it is.

Please Share!

Like this:

Or…Valentine’s Day—It’s not just for romance anymore.

Please Share!

Like this:

Please Share!

Like this:

Please Share!

Like this:

Please Share!

Like this:

You don’t have to spend a lot on employee gifts, but to get full value for what you do spend, add a personal touch.

What’s the point?

How could Huffington have improved the workplace gifting experience?

Download your free eBook “The Ultimate Guide to Employee Gift-Giving” Now!

Please Share!

Like this:

Please Share!

Like this:

gThankYou! announces our new Catalog of Winter Holiday Enclosure Card Designs – Perfect for your employee gift giving this holiday season!

Click Image to Download Now

At gThankYou!, we work hard to make it easy for you.

Please Share!

Like this:

To Learn More or Buy…

Share This Blog

Posts by Category

Subscribe!

Follow “gThankYou! | Celebrating Work”